ObjectiveTo study the relationship between osteoporosis and carotid artery disease in the elderly. Methods102 elderly patients were registered for this study and the extraeranial carotid was detected by ultrasound scan. The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the plaque index (PI) were measured and calculated respectively. Meanwhile the patients were divided into two groups according to the results of bone mineral density (BMI) measurement: the osteoporosis group and the non-osteoporosis group. The IMT, PI, carotid stenotic rate and some biochemical parameters were recorded and compared between the two groups. Relationship between these parameters and osteoporosis were evaluated by logistic regression model and partial correlation analysis. ResultsThe differences in serum calcium and the levels of TC,TG,HDL and LDL between osteoporosis group and non-osteoporosis group were statistically significant (all P＜0.05), while the level differences in serum phosphorus, fasting blood glucose and uric acid had no statistical significance between the two groups (P＞0.05). Moreover, the IMT and PI in osteoporosis group were significantly higher than those in non-osteoporosis group (P＜0.05). Among the 102 patients, 48 cases showed the carotid stenotic rate ＞ 50%, including 41 patients in osteoporosis group as well as 7 patients in non-osteoporosis group(P＜0.05). Logistic regression showed that age, HDL-C, IMT, PI and carotid stenotic rate＞50 % were the correlated factors of osteoporosis and among them, IMT, PI and carotid stenotic rate＞50% had higher risks (OR = 17.13,99.33,289.13). There was positive correlation between the carotid artery disease and osteoporosis. ConclusionsThere is a relationship between osteoporosis and carotid artery disease in the elderly. Emphasis should be paid on comprehensive prevention for osteoporosis and carotid artery disease in the elderly.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important healthcare problem worldwide. Often, glucocorticoid (GC) resistance develops during COPD treatment. As a classic hypoglycemic drug, metformin (MET) can be used as a treatment strategy for COPD due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but its specific mechanism of action is not known. We aimed to clarify the role of MET on COPD and cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced GC resistance. Through establishment of a COPD model in rats, we found that MET could improve lung function, reduce pathological injury, as well as reduce the level of inflammation and oxidative stress in COPD, and upregulate expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2). By establishing a model of GC resistance in human bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by CSE, we found that MET reduced secretion of interleukin-8, and could upregulate expression of Nrf2, HO-1, MRP1, and HDAC2. MET could also increase the inhibition of MRP1 efflux by MK571 significantly, and increase expression of HDAC2 mRNA and protein. In conclusion, MET may upregulate MRP1 expression by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, and then regulate expression of HDAC2 protein to reduce GC resistance.

Objective Using the previously established mesenchymal stem cells strain derived from human fetal umbilical cord blood (FUCB-MSCs) to culture then label enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) , and to observe skin repair effects of FUCB-MSCs by GFP tracing after exogenous FUCB-MSCs transplantation on to scald wound models of SCID mice.Methods FUCB-MSCs were labeled GFP by transfection with the recombinant retrovirus containing EGFP gen;The established SCID scald mice model were randomLy divided into 3groups, low dose group, high dose group and control group, 6rats each group, 2wounds each mouse, 12wounds in total, then were tail intravenous injected into 0.2mL 1×106, 0.2mL 2×106 GFP-FUCB-MSCs cells, and same volume of medium respectively.On 9days after transplantation, the sections from scald wound area were observed the expression of GFP under the fluorescence microscope and the others were analyzed by the bright-field microscopy after HE staining, and the area of wound surface and the number of wound cells were compared simultaneously.Results After 48h, expression of EGFP in FUCB-MSCs can be seen under the fluorescence microscope, positive rate of GFP was>80％, and after 6weeks GFP expression is still stable, besides, the positive expression of human GFP can be observed after transplantation and there were no fluorescence decay in transplantation after 3weeks.Compared with the control group, there was a significant difference in wound area and wound cell number in the low and high-dose group (P<0.05) .ConclusionGFP can be used as a tracking marker to label FUCB-MSCs during transplantation treatment.It indicates that exogenous FUCB-MSCs can migrate to the scalded wounds via blood circulation system and continuously participate in the repair through SCID mouse.

Objective:To investigate the in vitro inhibitory effect of methylene blue mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with berberine on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g). Methods:P.g was cultured until the middle to late log phase, and methylene blue was added to P.g suspension at different mass concentrations for 5 min, and a laser (wavelength 660 nm, power 140 mW/cm 2) was irradiated for 2 min to find the optimal concentration of methylene blue combined with the laser for in vitro inhibition of P.g. The effect of methylene blue mediated PDT on the in vitro inhibition of P.g and the effect of berberine on the growth curve of P.g were observed. The inhibitory effect of methylene blue mediated PDT and berberine on P.g was investigated by successive combined applications. The effect of methylene blue mediated PDT on P.g morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The absorption peaks of each component were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Results:The best inhibition was achieved at a methylene blue mass concentration of 24.414 1 μg/ml under 660 nm laser excitation. The differences were statistically significant in both the methylene blue and PDT groups compared with the control group (all P<0.001). 0.05 mg/ml berberine had an inhibitory effect on the planktonic bacteria of P.g. After P.g was treated with methylene blue mediated PDT, the bacterial cell walls were crumpled into clusters. Compared with the control group, the number of colonies was reduced in the 0.05 mg/ml berberine group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). The difference between the 0.05 mg/ml berberine + light group and the control group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). When PDT was combined with berberine, there was a synergistic inhibitory effect on P.g. PDT followed by berberine shows a better inhibitory effect on bacteria, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). After the berberine treatment, the bacterial surface became smooth, and the length of the bacterial body increased compared with the control group. Conclusions:Methylene blue mediated PDT has an inhibitory effect on P.g. When combined with berberine, it has a synergistic inhibitory effect on P.g., and the inhibition effect is better when PDT is applied first and then berberine is applied in combination.

Objective:To investigate the potential drug interactions of outpatient prescriptions containing metformin combined with other drugs from the perspective of drug transporters.Methods:The prescriptions containing metformin that were used in the Outpatient Department of Hainan General Hospital, China between July and December 2019 were collected. The potential interaction between drugs and metformin used in the prescriptions was analyzed according to drug instructions, Drugbank, PubMed databases.Results:A total of 15 568 outpatient prescriptions containing metformin were collected, including 9 146 prescriptions for male patients and 6 422 prescriptions for female patients. A total of 14 902 prescriptions contained combined medication. The drugs used in combination included other hypoglycemic drugs, antiplatelet drugs, antihypertensive drugs, lipid-lowering drugs, and neuroprotective drugs. The drug transporters including aspirin, atorvastatin calcium, repaglinide, bisoprolol, metoprolol and clopidogrel had a potential interaction with metformin. There were 11 614 prescriptions containing drug transporters and metformin, including 5 938 prescriptions inhibiting organic cation transporter 1 and 5676 prescriptions inhibiting organic cation transporter 2.Conclusion:There is no incompatibility between the outpatient prescriptions containing metformin and the commonly used drugs for chronic diseases, but the outpatient doctors do not have enough knowledge about dose adjustment caused by potential interaction.

Objective To investigate the expression of essential meiotic endonuclease 1(EME1)in liver cancer tissue and its effect on the biological behavior of hepatoma cells.Methods The TCGA database was used to identify the differentially expressed genes between liver cancer tissue and paracancerous tissue.Immunohistochemistry and Western Blot were used to measure the expression abundance of EME1 in liver cancer tissue.A lentivirus was constructed by short hairpin RNA,and BEL-7404 cells were transfected with the lentivirus to interfere with the expression of the EME1 gene;the cells were divided into silencing group(shEME1 group)and control group(shCtrl group).Quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of EME1;Celigo Image Cytometer and MTT assay were used to measure cell proliferation rate;flow cytometry was used to observe cell cycle;Caspase 3/7 activity was used to measure cell apoptosis.The independent-samples t-test was used for comparison between two groups.Results TCGA results showed that the mRNA expression level of EME1 in liver cancer tissue was 18.9 times that in paracancerous tissue(t=5.00,P<0.001),and the protein expression level of EME1 in liver cancer tissue was 7.0 times(based on immunohistochemistry:8.4±2.6 vs 1.2±0.4,t=7.55,P<0.001)or 2.5 times(based on Western Blot:249.0%±35.5%vs 100.0%±77.8%,t=3.02,P<0.05)that in paracancerous tissue.After lentivirus infection,compared with the shCtrl group,the shEME1 group had an mRNA expression level of EME1 reduced by 29.9%(29.9%±0.9%vs 100.0%±3.6%,t=32.82,P<0.001),a protein expression level of EME1 reduced by 35.7%(35.7%±14.9%vs 100.0%±28.9%,t=3.42,P<0.05),and a level of cell counting reduced by 45.1%(4 053±167 vs 8 988±477,t=16.91,P<0.001),as well as a level of cell activity reduced to 66.9%(0.518±0.046 vs 0.774±0.022,t=8.74,P<0.001)and a level of colony forming ability reduced to 29.0%(75±6 vs 260±9,t=28.92,P<0.001).Compared with the shCtrl group,the shEME1 group had a significant increase in the proportion of cells in G1 phase(49.9%vs 44.0%,t=8.96,P<0.001)and significant reductions in the proportion of cells in G2/M phase(15.9%vs 17.9%,t=9.13,P<0.001)and S phase(34.2%vs 38.1%,t=6.91,P<0.001),while Caspase 3/7 activity was enhanced by 1.5 times(145.8%±5.9%vs 100.0%±2.3%,t=12.50,P<0.001).Conclusion EME1 is highly expressed in liver cancer tissue,and silencing the EME1 gene can inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma cells and promote cell apoptosis.

The climate in the Lingnan area south China is characterized by high temperature and rainy days， and in terms of the eating habits， the local people are more addicted to raw， cold and savory food， all of which make Lingnan people prone to a constitution of upper heat and lower cold， and pathological manifestations of upper heat and lower cold. It is believed that the main pathogenesis of hyperthyroidism in Lingnan area is the upper heat and the lower cold， manifested as spleen yang deficiency and stomach fire excess， or kidney water depletion and heart fire hyperactivity， leading to upper heat and lower cold syndrome caused by disharmony of yin and yang and abnormal ascending and descending. Therefore， spleen cold and stomach heat and disharmony between the heart and the kidney are the main syndromes of hyperthyroidism in Lingnan area. Modified Huanglian Decoction （黄连汤） is commonly used. Additionally， for spleen cold and stomach heat syndrome， Fushen （Sclerotium Poriae Pararadicis） and Baizhu （Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae） can be added to supplement spleen and stomach， thereby treating both the root and the branch. In terms of the disharmony between the heart and the kidney syndrome， Muli （Concha Ostreae） is usually added to subdue yang and supplement yin， together with Wuweizi （Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis） to supplement kidney and calm heart and Shashen （Radix Adenophorae seu Glehniae） to nourish yin and engender liquid， thereby enriching kidney-water and moistening heart-yin. Modification of the formulas is suggested in accordance with the syndromes to achieve a better effect.

  Objective  Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is the most common peroxisomal diseases with high clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Our study is to analyze the phenotype and genotype characteristics of adult patients with ALD.  Methods  A total of 18 adult patients with ALD admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital from May 2016 to April 2021 were recruited, and their clinical manifestations, imaging features, and genetic results were comprehensively analyzed.  Results  Among 18 patients, 6(33%) patients were diagnosed as adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), 2(11%) were cerebral AMN, 5(28%) were adult cerebral ALD (ACALD), 2(11%) were childhood cerebral ALD (CCALD), 1(6%) were adolescent cerebral ALD (AdolALD), and 2(11%) were cerebellar variant of ALD. AMN patients presented with adult-onset stiffness and weakness of lower limbs as the initial and main symptoms, and can developed additional cerebral demyelination; In the case of cerebral ALD, ACALD is more common than CCALD and AdolALD. The prominent manifestations were psychiatric disorders, cognitive, and motor impairment. The imaging features were predominantly occipitoparietal involvement or predominantly frontal involvement with or without contrast enhancement marginal to the demyelinated areas; cerebellar ataxia is the main manifestation in patients with cerebellar variant, and the imaging feature was symmetrical involvement of the cerebellar dentate nucleus. Genetically, the most common mutation type was missense mutation (10/18, 55.6%), followed by frameshift mutation (7/18, 38.9%), and splice site mutation (1/18, 5.6%). Moreover, we found five novo mutations, all of which were frameshift mutations.  Conclusions  AMN is the most common subtype of adult patients with ALD. ACALD is common among the cerebral ALD. The proportion of cerebellar variant might have been underestimated.

Objective:To carry out high-risk foot examination and grading combined with two examination methods for inpatients with type 2 diabetes, and explore the influencing factors of the occurrence and development of high-risk foot, and investigate their foot care behavior status.Methods:From July 2021 to January 2022, 409 patients with diabetes who were admitted to the Department of Endocrinology, Department of Geriatrics, Department of Cardiology, Urology Surgery and Department of Ophthalmology of Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University were selected as research subjects by convenience sampling. The General Information Questionnaire, Standardized Process of At-risk Foot Screening and Stratification for Diabetic Patients, InIow's Screening for the High-Risk Diabetic Foot: A 60-Second Tool, and Foot Care Behavior Questionnaire for Diabetic Patients. Single factor analysis and Logistic regression analysis were used to explore the factors influencing the occurrence and development of high-risk foot in type 2 diabetes patients. A total of 409 questionnaires were distributed, and 392 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 95.8% (392/409) .Results:Among 392 patients, the detection rate of high-risk diabetic foot (HRDF) was 76.3% (299/392), and the proportion of high-risk foot grade 2 was the largest (193). Age ( OR=1.042, P<0.01) and years of hypertension ( OR=1.030, P<0.05) were independent influencing factors for the occurrence of HRDF, with statistically significant differences. Taking the high risk foot grade 3 as a reference, cerebrovascular disease [ OR=16.408, 95% CI (1.323, 203.417) ], diabetes course [ OR=1.066, 95% CI (1.008, 1.128) ], education level in middle school [ OR=0.180, 95% CI (0.056, 0.581) ], education level in primary school and below [ OR=0.126, 95% CI (0.019, 0.841) ] were independent influencing factors for the progress of high risk foot. The foot care behavior of high-risk foot patients with high risk levels was not superior to that of patients with low risk levels. Conclusions:The combination of the two screening methods can meet the examination needs of clinical and nursing medical staff for inpatients with type 2 diabetes. Emphasizing the influencing factors of HRDF occurrence and development can provide reference for early identification of high-risk foot.

By using an RAD peptide display system derived from the ATPase domain of recombinase RadA of Pyrococcus furiosus, an anti-hCG antibody-like molecule was prepared by grafting an hCG-binding peptide to the RAD scaffold. After linking to sfGFP gene, a gene of hCG peptide-grafted RAD was synthesized and cloned into a bacterial expression vector (pET30a-RAD/hCGBP-sfGFP). The vector was transformed into Escherichia coli, and expression of the fusion protein was induced. After isolation and purification of the fusion protein, its binding affinity and specificity to hCG were determined by using a process of immunoabsorption followed by GFP fluorescence measurement. A comparison of hCG-binding activity with a similarly grafted single-domain antibody based on a universal scaffold was performed. The measurement of hCG-binding affinity and specificity revealed that the grafted RAD has an optimally high binding affinity and specificity to hCG, which are better than the grafted single-domain antibody. Moreover, the affinity and specificity of grafted RAD molecule are comparable to those of a commercial monoclonal antibody. In addition, the hCG-binding peptide-grafted RAD molecule has a relatively high biochemical stability, making it a good substitute for antibody with potential application.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Antibody Specificity ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Peptides ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism